Representative Albums: "Concord Duo Series, Vol. 1: Life's a Take", "Heroes", "Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 11
Representative Songs: "If I Were a Bell", "Creole Love Call", "Un Canto Per la Pace
Biography
A virtuosic pianist whose phenomenal technique rivals Dick Hyman's, Roger Kellaway's work in commercial settings prior to the 1980s led to him being initially overlooked in the jazz world. He played piano and bass at the New England Conservatory (1957-1959) and actually left school to play bass with Jimmy McPartland. Switching permanently to piano, Kellaway picked up experience working with Kai Winding, Al Cohn/Zoot Sims, and Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer (1963-1965). He recorded with many players, including Ben Webster, Maynard Ferguson, Wes Montgomery, and Sonny Rollins, and in 1966 moved to Los Angeles where he played with Don Ellis' innovative orchestra. Kellaway became Bobby Darin's musical director, worked in the studios (his piano is heard playing the theme of All in the Family), wrote film scores, experimented with electric keyboards, played with Tom Scott, and recorded with his popular (but mostly non-jazz) Cello Quartet. Although he gigged locally with Zoot Sims and Harry "Sweets" Edison, it was not until the mid-'80s that Kellaway started playing jazz nearly full-time. His many records since then (for Concord, All Art, Stash, and Chiaroscuro) attest to his impressive talents. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
In 1964 Kellaway recorded Happiness for Impulse! with the Russian Jazz Quartet, a group also featuring Grady Tate and Boris Midney, the arranger for USA European Connection.[2]
For the TV sitcom All in the Family (later known as Archie Bunker's Place), Kellaway wrote and played the closing theme — "Remembering You".
On November 07 and 08, 2008 Kellaway served as band leader and pianist during the Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl concerts by Van Morrison celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the acclaimed album that was released in November 1968. Featured also is guitaristJay Berliner who was one of the original musicians.
